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J. A. COUNTS.

Wagon Lock. 7 i No. 71,992. I Patented Dec. 10, 1867.

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JAMES A. COUNTS, OF INDIA NAPOL IS, IOWA.

7 Letters Patent No. 71,992, dated December 10, 1867. I

IMPROVEMENT IN WAGON-LOOKS.

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TO ALL WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:

I Be it known that I, JAMES A. COUNTS, of Indianapolis, county ofMahaska, and State of Iowa, have invented a new and useful Improvementin Wagon-Locks; and I do hereby declare that the following is a elear,correct and exact description of v the construction and operation of thesame, reference being had to the annexed drawings, making a part of thisspecification. v

c c is the lever, as used in ordinary wagon-locks. iis the handle to thelever, and is in form similar to those in common use. a is the coggedhalf circle for holding the lever to its place, and'is similar in formto k that in common use. b is the pivot, on which the lever works. 9 isthe catch, to hold the lever at anypoint on the half circle a. h h areiron bands, holding g to the lever, and through which 9 moves backwardand forward. 43 is a rod, attached to g and to the small lever is at d.f is a coiled spring around the rod e and holds the catch 9 into thecogs.

The invention may be attached to'any ordinary wagon-bed and lock,.andthe, manner of working it is as 1 follows: The driver presses down thesmall lever is with his thumb, which draws back the catch g. The lever cc is then moved either backwards or forwards to any point desired. Thepressure on his then removed, and l i the spring fforces the-catchy intooneof the cogs and holds it there. The wagon may be either locked orunlocked by .changingtlle position of the lever. i What I claim as myinvention, and desire to secure by Letters Batent, is I l The catch g,the bands h It, the spring f, the bar e, lever is, for the purposes setforth and described.

' JAMES A. COUNTS.

Witnesses:

3 JOHN F. LUOEY, W. E. SHEPHERD.

